Archive for the 'CPQ' Category

CPQ #11: Justin Robinson

Published
by
Brian
on August 10, 2009
in CPQ and Cyclocross
. 7 Comments

It is with great pleasure I present to you a CPQ with US cyclocross legend Justin Robinson. Justin currently races for the California Giant Strawberries Cyclocross Team, and has raced at the top of the national and international ‘cross circuits for the last sixteen years.

The first time I met Justin was in Brian Vernor’s Pure Sweet Hell, so Sunday morning while I was prepping this post I brewed a pot of french press and fired up our copy of the film. The Justin Robinson motor-pacing scene is one of those cinematic moments that is hard to get out of your brain:

Here we go:

1. How old are you?
33

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
Bonny Doon, California. Born, raised, never moved, will be here till I die.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
19 years, 16 years elite cross

4. What was your first bicycle?
Schwinn green BMX bike

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
Started racing MTB’s in 1990, didn’t touch a road bike until @’96, raced a few partial road seasons from 99-2003, I still race the MTb but haven’t raced on the road in years.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
Surf City Cyclocross 1991, racing my steel Yeti MTB, Cat c men, raced the first half of the series and did well until I sprained my ankle and was very depressed to miss the rest of the season.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
Why Not!

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
Nope, I work full time as a father of two, a husband, and a Water Well Contractor, as well as up-keeping our family 5 acre compound in Bonny Doon.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
Art Major at San Jose State University

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
I have NEVER shaved My legs.

11. Do you have any tattoos, and/or piercings?
Nope, just lots of hair.

12. Pre race rituals?
Pretend like I know how to warm up.

13. Post race meal?
Anything except Beef or Pork

14. How do you wind down after a race?
Go home to my family.

15. Your idea of the perfect cross course?
Very technical, lots of mud, not too much elevation change, lots of running, lots of snow, lots of ice, freezing cold, really hot, the race of attrition.
Continue reading ‘CPQ #11: Justin Robinson’

CPQ #10: Barry Wicks

Published
by
molly
on August 27, 2008
in CPQ and Cyclocross
. 5 Comments
photo by: Ken Conley kwc.orgPhoto by: Ken Conley kwc.org/cycling

Barry Wicks is one of the most feared riders on the domestic cyclocross circuit.

The Questionnaire:
——————————

1. How old are you?
25 years old.

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I grew up for the first part of my life in Welches Oregon, Near Mt Hood. I moved to the Valley in 8th grade and went to Highschool and College in Corvallis Oregon. Now I live in Santa Cruz California.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
I Have been racing cross since 1999, as an elite since 2002.

4. What was your first bicycle?
I had an purple fixed gear kids bike, then upgraded to an Orange Banana seat bike before finally getting a Sekai Jammer in 1993.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
I started racing MTB when I was 13 on my Jammer. The first race I did as a dual slalom. Then I started racing XC and eventually found my way to cross. I did some road racing, but found it boring and annoying.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
Erik Tonkin was telling me about cyclocross at the last MTB race of the year and told me to have a go at it. I built up an old Autsro Damlier Road bike with 27″ wheels and went to the races!

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
I race a full MTB season along with the full cross season. I seem to have the most success in Cross, but I would call myself an off road specialist.

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
I race full time, But work a few hours a week at a local Winery, mostly for the sweet wine hook ups.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
I went to Oregon State and Majored in Exercise and Sports Science

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
I swam in High School, so shaving my legs for the first time was not a cycling related experience. I liked how it felt though so now I do it all the time.

Continue reading ‘CPQ #10: Barry Wicks’

CPQ #9: Joachim Parbo

Published
by
Brian
on October 17, 2007
in CPQ, Cyclocross and Euro
. 6 Comments

We’re proud to present a CPQ with Joachim Parbo, 2006 & 2007 Danish National Cyclocross Champion. He is in the states for a while this fall, and just finished up a strong weekend in Ohio finishing 2nd place at both the Java Johnny’s and Bio Wheels cross races. Joachim races for the CCV Protek Cyclo Cross Team.

1. How old are you?
Born 1974

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I grew up in Struer, Denmark (Bang & Olufsen HQ) – now, I am living in Aarhus (2nd biggest city in Denmark).

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
I have been racing Elite MTB since 1999.

4. What was your first bicycle?
I got my first bicycle when I was 5, but I bought my first real bike in 1995 – a Marin Palisades Trail MTB.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
I started racing MTB in 1997 – I rode my first road race in 2006.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
I did a cross race on my Breezer Lightning steel bike in 1999. I didn’t get a cross bike until 2001 – then I made it to the national team in two months.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
Yes, but with quite some MTB seniority on the side.

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
Mentally, I live with bicycling full time .. . be it racing, race organizing or cycling club organizing. I have had some jobs on the side like teaching, carpentry etc.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
I’ve studied Political Science for 5 years – and I am about to finish my masters thesis in the spring of 2008.

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
It was sheer peer pressure and there were some bets going on. It felt strange when I wore my pants afterwards… I am not into that scene… To me it is pure vanity and symbolic representation of being into cycling. If I was a roadie, and had a lot of crashes and constantly had a guy touching my legs with oily hands I could see a point of shaving legs – otherwise not.

11. Do you have any tattoos, and/or piercings?
When I crash I get a kind of tattoos… I don’t need any extra body ornaments to feel my body or to put any messages across.

12. Pre race rituals?
The small rituals change from year to year, as I focus on different things. But a morning ride before breakfast is kind of a ritual to mere. I am not superstitious…

Continue reading ‘CPQ #9: Joachim Parbo’

CPQ #8: Tristan Schouten

Published
by
molly
on October 2, 2007
in CPQ and Cyclocross
. 1 Comment

leading-into-the-sand-beacon.jpg1. How old are you?
25

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I grew up on the 3rd coast (lake Michigan) in Sheboygan, WI where I still live for a larger percentage of time than anywhere else of the year.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
I did my first race when I was 15 so I guess that makes about 10 years. I think 2003 was my first Pro mtb. race.

4. What was your first bicycle?
My first bike was a banana yellow 20″ bike my dad and I made it with random parts. The first bike I bought was a huffy. The first bike I raced on was a GT Tequesta with a Rockshox Quadra 5 – it was rad cause it had shox.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
I raced on and off road for a bunch of years mostly in Wisconsin early on with good success. In 2002 and 2003 I rode with the Saturn Development team all around the country and did like 80 races, but never had any really good results. The team folded at the end of 2003 so I went back to mountain biking and shortly after got hooked up on the Trek program which I have been racing on for 3 years now. In 2004 I did the U23 Pan Am Championships and U23 World championships in Les Gets, France with the U23 National team.

I picked up cross in the fall of 2003 and have expanded my schedule each year since. Early this spring I was able to go to Belgium and race Elite World Championships with the US national team.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
It’s actually pretty funny how I started racing cross. I had been racing mountain bikes pretty successfully for a few years and in 2003 a friend was going to a cross race in Milwaukee. I decided to go along with my mountain bike and I ended up winning the elite race pretty easily. I liked winning so I went back the next weekend and discovered I could win cross races as well as mountain bike races so I kept going all fall. Then I borrowed a real cross bike and went to Portland in 2003 for U23 Nationals and just got throttled by Jesse Anthony and Alan Obeye, it was an eye opening experience racing in the mud, I had never done that before. I think I finished 5th or 6th.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
I’ve had decent results through the last two seasons and even a few really good ones when the conditions fit me. I won the Beacon cross last fall which was a UCI race and also placed 8th at Nationals in 2005 so I’ve probably had some bigger results on the national level racing cross than mountain bikes, but a cross specialist – I’m not sure. I think I can do really well on certain courses and under certain conditions, but I’m still trying to find the consistency that would make me a specialist. I guess more and more I consider myself a cross racer over anything else so maybe I am heading that way?

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
I have basically been racing full time the last 3-4 years although I’m still looking to make an actual salary. I work part-time at a bike shop in Sheboygan were I’ve worked for over 10 years now. I’ve really cut down my hours and the last two years I’ve probably only worked a total of like 200 hours total. I try to keep the bills at a minimum so I can pick up and leave whenever I want and squeak by on prize money. It seems to be working for the most part.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
I went to a technical college near Sheboygan for 3 years and have an associates degree in Electro-mechanical technology. Basically it’s electricity, hydraulics, pneumatics, motors, and electronics used in industry to control robots.

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
I think I was about 12 years old and probably didn’t even need too, but thought it was really cool cause all the pros did. I also rode around in the big chainring all the time cause I thought that was cool too.

Continue reading ‘CPQ #8: Tristan Schouten’

CPQ #7: Todd Wells

Published
by
molly
on May 25, 2007
in CPQ
. 4 Comments

After a spring time hiatus, we’re back with a CPQ from two time US national cyclocross champion Todd Wells. Todd captured the US cross titles in 2001, and again in 2005 and is always a contender. We’ve got a couple of questions about this years goals, and then on to the questionnaire. mc sir wells a lot.

What are your goals this season?
To have a strong World Cup, World Championship and National Championship. To make the Olympic Long team.

Going for UCI points for the Olympics?
Yes. The US will either get to send 2 or 3 riders to the Olympics based on how we do as a country this year. That means the top 3 guys in UCI points have to be high up so our country is ranked in the top 5. Then we can send 3 riders.

Planning on a full cx season again?
I will do quite a few US cross races but just until Nationals. I shut it down after that to take a break.

Ever planning on heading over to Europe for some cx racing?
I raced cross in Europe back in 2002. I did a World Cup and the World Championships in Belgium. It was fun but I had my worst MTB season ever after that. We start up on the mountain bike in March so I need to stop and take a break sometime.

1. How old are you?
31

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I grew up in Kingston, NY and I now live in Durango CO.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
I started racing BMX when I was 5 yrs old and did that until I was 16. I didn’t even start riding mtbs until I was 18. I started racing as an elite when I was 21 or 22, then I took 3 years off to go to school and get a real job. I guess that means I’ve been racing as an elite for 9 years.

4. What was your first bicycle?
Some crappy Huffy I broke in my yard on some tiny rock jump.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
Like I said, I grew up racing BMX and then switched to the MTB when I was 18. I thought I would race dual slalom and dh but found out I was better at XC.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
I threw a mountain bike together with drop bars and did the Super Cup in Boston back in 1998? I got lapped by Gully and all the other top guys. I sucked.
Continue reading ‘CPQ #7: Todd Wells’

CPQ #6: Greg Reain

Published
by
Brian
on January 4, 2007
in CPQ
. 2 Comments

Greg Reain is the 2006 Canadian national cyclocross champion, riding for the German Stevens Racing Team. The video below gives Greg a better intro than I ever could. Watch him easily ride away from Kabush and friends at the 2006 CA nats. Rad.

1. How old are you?
29, but my licence says 30 (ouch)

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
Ottawa, Ontario – born & raised. I split my time between Ottawa, Hamburg and Belgium in January… I’m riding for a Montreal team next summer so I’ll probably be spending some time there. I’m a pro bike racer, I have no home!

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
XC ski racing from 8yrs old, bikes from 13. I’ve been an elite for 8 years now.

4. What was your first bicycle?
Hmmm, first real MTB would’ve been a Giant Butte. Cromo frame, Shimano 200GS, plastic pedals. Yeah, it was fully pimp.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
MTB 1993 to 2000 as an amateur/elite, MTB 2001-2004 as a pro with Gears Racing, Road and CX 2005-2006 as a pro with Stevens Racing Team in Germany, 2007 pro with Calyon Professional Team in Montreal.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
OBC Cyclocross series c.1991, put on my Bob Woods and Ian Austen. I was a junior and using a 30lb. mountain bike, but nonetheless it was enough to get me attached to racing bikes.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
Now, yes. Continue reading ‘CPQ #6: Greg Reain’

CPQ #5: Helen Wyman

Published
by
Brian
on December 30, 2006
in CPQ
. 3 Comments

dsc_0058.jpgWe’re pleased to have UK national cyclocross champion Helen Wyman answer our questionnaire. Helen races for Fat Birds UK elite women’s cycling team on Guerciotti cyclcocross frames, and has the most amazing SLR saddle I’ve ever seen. Look for Helen to do some damage at worlds this year!

1. How old are you?
You should never ask a lady her age you know?!!! (25 years old)

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I was born in St Albans, north of London and grew up all over England really. But now I live in the beautiful Belgium, my favourite country in the world!

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
I started racing when I was 14 years old but have only been an elite rider for the last 3 years.

4. What was your first bicycle?
When I was a kid my dad used to have a tandem with my brother on the back and I was on a child seat behind that (does that count?). I used shout at them to go faster!!!

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
When I was a kid I did everything, grass track, mountain biking, road and time trialling. I started cross racing when I was at university and didn’t have time to race in the summer so had to do it in the winter instead.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
I rode a national cup race in England first time on a cyclo-cross bike and I got 5th I was very happy and instantly hooked.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
I ride for a UCI pro-team, Global Racing, so I am a cross specialist although ride a full road season and have won the mountain classification jersey in a UCI stage race last year as well as placing top 20 in most lower grade UCI races.

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
I am a qualified physiotherapist, but now a full time cyclist.

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
Duh just answered that one then!!! I studied physiotherapy at university, in England it is a degree course (BSC(Hons)Physiotherapy) and got a 2:1 for it.

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
Erm…well I was probably about 12 and all the girls at school were experimenting so I had a go too!!! Although I only had really fine blond hairs on my legs but I wanted to do what the other girls did!! I think I cut myself a lot!!!! Im pretty sure ive perfected the art by now though!!!!

11. Do you have any tattoos, and/or piercings?
Hmmm…..not that I could tell you about!!!! No just kidding! I’ve got my ears and belly button pierced. No tattoes I have seen a lot of old people with them and they don’t look good at that age!!!

Continue reading ‘CPQ #5: Helen Wyman’

CPQ #4: Christine Vardaros

Published
by
Brian
on November 2, 2006
in CPQ
. 8 Comments

sftmobile_04_0295_r_christine.jpgWe’re happy to have Christine Vardaros as our first female CPQ! Christine had a strong 2005-2006 season which she finished by representing the USA at cyclocross worlds. She’s had two top ten World Cup finishes, and right now is headed to Italy for the Treviso World Cup. After that she’ll high tail it back to Belgium for the Vossem cross. Good luck Peanut!

1. How old are you?
Did you ask my weight…it’s 54kg.

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I grew up in Long Island, manhattan, and brooklyn. I now live mostly in belgium (i am writing you from Leuven where I live now.) When I am in the USA, I live in Mill Valley, CA.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
I started riding and racing in 1995. I upgraded to pro mtb in 1998, elite cx in 1999, and pro road this year for Lotto-Belisol Ladiesteam.

4. What was your first bicycle?
Breezer Lightning mountain bike.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
I raced for Joe Breeze on Team Breezer MTB four years until the team dissolved. Then I discovered cyclo-cross. I was instantly hooked. I started to race on the road to train for cyclo-cross.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
It was a DFL race in san francisco. I liken it to bushwacking with a bike.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
In order to call myself a specialist, i feel that I should master the task. I am not even close. Although currently i am ranked 12th in the World in UCI ranking and 14th in World Cup.

8. Do you race full time? If not, what other job(s) do you have?
Yes, but since there is no $$ in cycling – especially for women – I have a few jobs. I do PR and freelance writing (journalist/columnist/etc.)

9. Did you go to college? If so, what was your major?
Yes. I attended Columbia in NYC – Biology Major.

10. Describe the first time you shaved your legs.
Two days ago to prepare for Koppenbergcross. I heard it is a slip-and-slide course and it’s better to have hairless legs to treat road rash. I’m glad i shaved.

Continue reading ‘CPQ #4: Christine Vardaros’

CPQ #3: Geoff Kabush

Published
by
Brian
on October 18, 2006
in CPQ
. 2 Comments

geoffkabush2.jpgRacing cyclocross for Maxxis on Van Dessel bikes, Geoff Kabush is hardly a man who needs introduction. Current and several time Canadian national MTB and cyclocross champion, Kabush rocks the cyclocross with a light heart and a sure footing on the podium.

1. How old are you?
29

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
Grew up in Courtenay, BC… now I split my time between Victoria, BC and Albuquerque,NM

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
Started racing MTB in 92-93, turned senior in 96 and have been racing at the elite level since then. Cyclocross I have done on and off since 97-98.

4. What was your first bicycle?
The first bicycle I picked out was a sweet purple Kona Lava Dome; I rode my parents sweet Norco Bush Pilots for a while before that with some sweet bullhorn handlebar/stem combo.

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
As I said above I started racing MTB’s locally in Grade 9, worked my way up to the National level as a Junior and took up some road racing once I turned Senior. Currently racing for Maxxis International on the MTB and Cross bike and figuring out how to fit in some road racing as well.

6. Describe your first exposure to cyclocross.
Went down to Seattle for the SuperCross series was back in 97 or 98…can’t remember which year; did it on a MTB with skinny tires and had some fun hopping the barriers.

7. Would you consider yourself a cross specialist?
No. I can’t be serious enough at this time of year.

Continue reading ‘CPQ #3: Geoff Kabush’

CPQ #2: Jonathan Page

Published
by
Brian
on October 4, 2006
in CPQ
. 5 Comments

aalter2.jpgWe’re happy to have American cyclocross legend Jonathan Page answer our second edition of the CPQ! Jonathan is a three time elite national cyclocross champion, family man, and an all around good guy. He is back in Belgium this season representing the US, and beating the best of the best on a weekly basis. He dislocated his shoulder at the world cup last week, but will be back in action and winning races in no time.

1. How old are you?
I turned 30 a few days ago!

2. Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I grew up in Northfield, NH and I live in Oudenaarde, Belgium now.

3. How long have you been racing? As an elite?
I started racing when I was 15 and I have been racing with the elites since 17.

4. What was your first bicycle?
BMX bike magnum

5. What is your road/mtb racing background?
I started racing because my brother and best friend did it. Then I won a few races so I thought it was fun. Then Toby Stanton and Frank McCormack took me under their wings and I raced for the National Team for a few years. Then I did a year as a pro on Diamondback mountainbike team, a year on Prime Alliance, a year on a crappy Polish team, 2 years on Colavita and a lot of years now finding my own sponsors for my own 1 man cross team.
Continue reading ‘CPQ #2: Jonathan Page’

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